Tijwog Agwet, a former adviser to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on religious affairs, has declared his intention to challenge his former boss in presidential elections scheduled for December.
His announcement makes him the second politician to publicly declare a presidential bid against Kiir ahead of the December election.
Speaking exclusively to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday evening, Tijwog said the elections present an opportunity for South Sudan to move towards democratic rule and pledged to prioritise peace, unity and the delivery of public services if elected.
“What the people of South Sudan need is peace and unity, and this would be my first priority,” Tijwog said. “If elected, my government will have a system that works for all South Sudanese without nepotism.”
He criticised what he described as ethnic patronage in government institutions, saying appointments to ministerial offices should not be based on ethnic affiliation.
Tijwog acknowledged the challenges facing the electoral process, including limited civic space and outstanding provisions of the 2018 peace agreement, but said those concerns should not be used to justify extending the transitional period.
“If we reject elections because our country is not ready, because there is no civic space and unmet provisions of the 2018 agreement, then we are giving the incumbent an opportunity to continue to drive our country to hell,” he said.
Tijwog, who hails from Upper Nile state, said he intends to run as an independent candidate. He argued that he could win because, in his view, the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) had failed to deliver for South Sudan over the past two decades, while opposition groups remained too divided to mount an effective challenge.
He urged South Sudanese to participate in the elections rather than allow the transitional period to be extended.
“If we don’t go for elections, these people in the government will extend the transitional period, and an extension will not benefit us,” he said. “Through elections, a determined people will bring a change because I believe change will be brought by South Sudanese, not the government.”
Tijwog is a founding member of the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) and is chief executive officer of Radio Jonglei FM.
He recently announced his departure from the SPLM-IO, accusing the opposition group of nepotism and saying it had lost its direction and vision.
His announcement comes as South Sudan prepares for presidential and legislative elections scheduled for Dec. 22, although the electoral process faces political and logistical challenges.
President Kiir signed the National Elections Act, 2012 (Amendment) Bill, 2026 into law on Monday, shortly after the National Legislature passed it. The legislation provides that the incumbent president will remain in office with all constitutional powers during the election period until the elected president assumes office.
The amendment also provides for the removal of First Vice President Riek Machar and the other vice presidents three months before polling day, effectively ending the transitional presidency.
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